Body of Missing Hiker Found Near Wallface Pond

State Police and Forest Rangers have announced that around noon Monday, September 18, 2017, the body of missing hiker Alex Stevens was located in the vicinity of Wallface Mountain, near Wallface Pond.

Essex County Coroner Francis Whitelaw responded to the scene and authorized the removal of the body to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake for an autopsy expected to take place Tuesday.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers and the New York State Police have been searching for Stevens since September 10th, when he was reported missing by a family member.

Agencies involved in the search are DEC Forest Rangers, New York State Police, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks, Stowe Mountain Rescue, the Adirondack Amateur Radio Association, Newcomb Fire Department, the Town of Newcomb, and Newcomb Central School. Several other volunteers have also been on scene assisting with the search efforts.

In a statement to the press, DEC, NYSP, and DHSES thanked volunteer search and rescue groups, as well as the town of Newcomb, Newcomb Fire Department, and Newcomb Central School who contributed to the search effort.

Damn…sad news, my condolences to friends and family.
It’ll be interesting to learn what may have happened, and if some sort of permit system might help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future, as the early reports mentioned that he seemed unprepared for a 3 night stay in the High Peaks region. Seems like being unprepared is often the case in the Monthly DEC Ranger reports.

I have no problems with that. Apologies for sharing my thoughts on the matter as it has been currently reported. I thought that I had read in an earlier report about being unprepared, and how the monthly DEC reports (posted on this website) often result in S&R.
No disrepct intended, just hoping for a way to help prevent similar situations from occurring in the popular High Peaks region yet again in the future. If now is not the time, then when is? – Justin

I was thinking once we knew more about what happened. A permit system would do nothing if he just took a tragic fall. You hike alone like I do sometimes (and I think you may do as well) all the prep in the world can’t prevent that.

The one unfortunate thing about being of the conservative persuasion is the close-mindedness that comes with it, the innate desire to suppress others because of this. I’m sure you’re a good person Paul but your narrow views send thrills up and down my spine. Your comment in response to Justin’s missive is way off the mark. Open up a little Paul! Get a little liberal in you. You’d be surprised at how many new doors will open!

If we’re going to propose preventive solutions, let’s not delve into speculation but consider a time-honored solution that does work, namely leaving one’s itinerary, and deadline, with a responsible individual.

If you fail to contact them by the deadline, they call the DEC and report you overdue. It’s a mistake to skip this proven, and often recommended, practice.

The DEC has a very good track record of finding people (usually alive) within 48 hours of being reported missing … provided they are notified ASAP and not, as in Alex Stevens unfortunate case, 6 days *after* his 3-day trip.

My condolences to his family and friends and apologies for using his death as an example of a mistake. I hope the return of Alex’s mortal remains will provide you with closure and some solace. He left this world too soon.

As a friend of the family, I would appreciate these comments being taken down before the family sees them. I understand that you do not want this happening again. None of us do, but as a friend of the family, I can easily say that waiting no more than 4 hours to respond with shoulda-woulda-couldas doesn’t help his devastated family and friends -many of which have not even received the news yet. I understand you want to make a positive difference in the long run, but think about how he was a brother, a son, and a friend before launching off into “this could’ve be prevented”. Thank you.

You said nothing wrong Justin! You owe no apologies. People who aren’t well read don’t read into things too well…a lot of misunderstanding’s and unnecessary conflicts because of this. Believe me I know! I read what you wrote over again to be sure…..you said nothing wrong! You owe no apologies!

I don’t think the Adirondack Almanack or any other publication should ever be in the position to “take down comments” solely because they might be hurtful, even in situations like this.

The fact is, the comments are on point, and if they prevent a similar tragedy, then Alex’s life was not in vain. He made mistakes – that’s obvious; it’s learning the painful lessons that is the hard part, and we shouldn’t avoid that.

Common decency says not to say or write things that you think might cause pain to loved ones of those lost. And, if they could prevent a tragedy like this right now, they could probably prevent a tragedy like this a few days from now.

Thank you DEC N ADK TRAIL WORKERS N Rangers for all your hard work .Always let people know where you are hiking and how long you plan on being out . Am always hiking alone I have for the last 35 years .

Maybe his friends and family can use this tragedy to help educate others. Are they currently devistated and emotional over the situation? I’m assuming most definitely so, and for that I express my sympathy to his loved ones.

The question is what happens next. Will this all be forgotten about in a few weeks or months, or will this tragic event be a catalyst for education and perhaps an opportunity to get the word out that the Adirondack terrain is not to be taken lightly?

I hope what happened to Alex can be avoided in the future. I’m not terribly sure how to help make these types of searches a thing of the past, but something must certainly be done in an effort to curtail the frequency that we have recently been seeing these events.

A backcountry license, permitting, permanent closure of public lands. I don’t care. The state needs to act. It infuriates me that often some of the loudest opponents to such ideas are not even US citizens or citizens of NY. This is a NY issue for NY residents and government to sort out. The rest of you, respectfully, need to STFU about it. You are guests in our state/country, and while often times we love hosting you, this is our issue to sort out not yours.

“Jim S.” is on the money with his “inappropriate” comment. M.P. Heller’s comments RE: the State stepping in is ridiculous and I won’t say anything more. God rest Mr. Stevens and all my sympathy to his Family.

Let’s save our knee-jerk reactions to discuss the accident and solutions for a possible follow-up article after a respectful period of time. Waiting until we have more details would be wise as well. For now let’s focus on the tragedy and Alex’s family and friends.

M.P. Heller says: “The question is what happens next. Will this all be forgotten about in a few weeks or months, or will this tragic event be a catalyst for education and perhaps an opportunity to get the word out that the Adirondack terrain is not to be taken lightly?”

According to some of the comments above it could be the former M.P. Certain people are trying to shut others up already when all’s they’re doing is putting their thoughts out! Heaven forbid we speak what’s really on our concerned minds!

I agree Charlie. It’s a horrible tragedy to be sure, but it’s also a teachable moment. Isn’t it?

If we wait until it’s too late to have the discussion, the impact of the event loses some of its strength and little that is positive ends up happening as a result. There is plenty of history that supports this.

I’m not accusing Alex of anything. I wasn’t there, and I don’t know what happened. What I do know is that it’s tragic and if there is a way we can reduce the frequency of these events that we should all be looking for that way. It’s been happening too much in recent years and often times we find that it was avoidable. Hua Davis comes readily to mind. (Not too soon to talk about her, right?)

As far as those who think that it’s “inappropriate” to be having such a conversation. Let them think it. They obviously have nothing constructive to add other than to point the finger. The shame is on them, not those seeking a solution.

Anyone who has bushwhacked the peaks in the area knows how thick it can be in there. Sometimes you can’t see 5 feet in any direction because of the thick vegetation. Bad place to get lost. Bad place to have to go looking for someone. Kudos to the employees and volunteers who made the discovery.

Here’s a confirmed detail for you. He didn’t have a compass in his possession at the time. Folks need to be taught that a compass is an essential piece of equipment in the backcountry. Always carry one. Know how to use it. It doesn’t matter if you leave it in your pack at all times and forget that it’s there, just have it with you, you will remember when you need it.

People mourn and reflect in different ways. You don’t have a monopoly on what constitutes a proper response from others. Help people learn from this terrible event. Too many folks are going out there and getting hurt or killed in recent years. Enough is enough. It’s time for change. It has to start with discussion and education. There is no two ways about it.

Justin Farrell says: “as the early reports mentioned that he seemed unprepared for a 3 night stay in the High Peaks region.”

This morning’s Times Union states ‘Stevens brought a hammock instead of a sleeping bag and apparently was not prepared to spend a lot of time in the backcountry.’

Justin spoke the truth. The Times Union spoke the truth. But let us scold and criticize those who wish to speakum truth so that reality is excluded from the conversation. So that we might not learn some thing!

Rest in peace old friend. Enjoy the next journey, im sure we will cross paths again! I enjoyed our long nights of musical emmersion in our youth. You had such an ecclectic taste! The citars, guitars, and digeridoos are playing for you. My heart goes out to all our loved ones in the borough, facing this detachment. What a way to go, lost in that natural splendor, facing every emotion known to man, you wouldnt have had it any other way! You will be missed dearly, and always remembered.

My condolences for the loss of your friend. It appears you knew Alex fairly well – perhaps you could shed some light on Alex’s hiking & outdoor experience. Was hiking something new for him? Had he hiked in the Adirondack High Peaks before? Was he an experienced camper? Was he experienced in the outdoors or was this fairly new to him?

Sorry if this seems intrusive, but I am just trying to formulate a mind-picture of what may have happened and what may have gone wrong. Again, sorry for the loss of your friend.

If my calculations are correct from DEC reports over the past two months, there have been 12 incidents reported of unpreprared hikers requiring rescue or recovery from the High Peaks region via 911, and 8 incidents of injured hikers requesting help via 911.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but there must be a better solution than relying on a cell phone in case you run into some trouble.

I thought of Steven all weekend. I constantly checked the news for any word. Monday was not a good day.

I had moved my hike/backpacking trip this past weekend from the very same area from Wallface/Indian Pass due not wanting to interfere with the search and/or be turned away at Upper Works.

I did Indian Pass in mid April one year, and it was treacherous. And although September conditions wouldn’t have the snow pack I encountered, they would have possibly less water in higher elevations…along with all the other conditions September can bring.

He died a slow and lingering death suffering from hypothermia and severe pneumonia while being lost.

I can’t imagine anyone “loving to do” that while they die. In fact I doubt anyone would consider the process of dying as being something they “love to do”, no matter where they might find themselves for the last time, ever.

Obviously – he meant being in the mountains. What a silly (or maybe mean) comment. Someone I skied with in Alaska died in the AK backcountry skiing in an avalanche. He was doing what he loved (and man was he good!) but his death was probably excruciating. Neil, you know what he meant.

At the moment of your death you’re highly unlikely to be thinking “And while I’m doing what I love! Aren’t I lucky!”

Don’t attribute this falsehood to the dead just because they expired during a favorite pastime. They’d easily wish to die another day, farther in the future, maybe even while doing something they despise.

He went hiking and died in a very unpleasant manner. It’s nothing short of tragic.

I know next to nothing about Alex Stevens. But I am sure that I share some essential character traits with this young man. His “selfie” published in the media wants to talk to me. Something led him to recently die alone, forty years my junior, to the northwest of Wallface Mountain.
When I was in my twenties and thirties, I wandered solo a number of times close to those rugged environs. Some people need to be by themselves on select occasions. And not just on a park bench on a sunny afternoon. Is that a good idea? I love being by myself, way out there. Sometimes my psyche need this drug. And it works. Loneliness has a different feeling out there. I’m not a top-notch woodsman, but errors and time have sharpened my ability to keep myself alive and happy during many solo excursions. Only recently have I thought of that as anything but an entirely personal question. Now I struggle with the dilemma brought on by considerations of how my actions might be selfish.
I have traversed the boulder-strewn path of Indian Pass several times. It’s been decades since I read the excellent novel Cloudsplitter by Russell Banks. Somehow that old reading has lead me to believe that the Indian Pass trail was used in the 1840’s or thereabouts to lead escaped blacks up to John Brown’s free farm in North Elba. It seems that the slave bounty hunters had the Lake Champlain ports close in their sights and Brown needed something more clandestine. That would be Indian Pass traversing Wallface’s shadow and scree.
When I was about Alex’s age, something enticed me to pack up the steep corduroy trail heading northwest from the Pass Trail past Scott Pond and then to the Wallface Ponds. No one was talking to me. The rain came down hard and I spent noon till midnight secure in my tiny tent reading Dostoyevsky’s Brothers Karamazov. That was a profound experience, happening less than a mile from the red X marked a couple days ago by the sheriff on their search map. I had stared with flashlight at my soggy topo map and come a clear dawn, on a lark I followed a compass heading a couple miles further northwest until I hit Roaring Brook. I bushwhacked, waded, and floundered downstream a couple more miles until I hit the NLP trail and followed it to spend the night at a splendid Duck Hole lean-to.
A year or two latter I saw a lady trekking up to Scott Pond and followed her that far, thinking she was laboring up there by herself just to find me. No surprise, she wasn’t. I got it into my fool head to make it back down to Indian Pass by following Indian Pass Brook, which on the map looks shorter than the trail I had just walked heading off a little more north. That may have been poor judgment. Some hapless Ranger may recently have been assigned to go that way, but few others have. I got down a couple waterfalls by shimmying down a well-positioned tree trunk.
Someone might make a remark about suicidal tendencies. I don’t know. But it’s a fine memory. Alex, I wish I had met you. But guys like me don’t meet so many people. Ah, wilderness.

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